Yes, spring is officially here and the reason we know it? The Goodspeed in East Haddam opened for its 2015 season Friday and the ties to the opening production, "Guys and Dolls", were all over the place.

While it was chosen by now-retired executive director Michael Price (now referred to as founding director) as the 2015 opening production, new executive director Michael Gennaro, who attended his first opening at the theater since being named the new head several months ago, had very fond memories of the Broadway production from, well, 65 years ago or so.

"My dad, Peter Gennaro, was in the 1950 Broadway production," explained Gennaro, who made a dapper first impression on the crowd. "He played the guy who carries the stack of boxes," he said. And while his dad was busy acting, his mom was busy delivering him, and as a "welcome to the world" gift, the cast took up a collection for the new baby, presenting it to the proud new father in a paper bag.

There were other "Guys and Dolls" ties as well. The Goodspeed's show director Don Stephenson is married to Emily Loesser, whose father, Frank Loesser, wrote the original music and lyrics for the show.

"It is wonderful to be here and hear his music," said Emily Loesser who with her husband and their four children, were among those who spent intermission at a reception in Gennaro's office.

Goodspeed Opens Season with "Guys and Dolls''

MaryEllen Fillo, fillo@courant.com

"Guys and Dolls'' director Don Stephenson, top, with his wife Emily Loesser, right, and their children "Guys and Dolls'' opening night.

"My dad would work all night on his music so when everyone else was getting up, it was his time to have a martini," she said. "It was that early-morning martini that prompted the song in the show, 'My Time of Day.' "

And while it was Gennaro who has taken over the duties at the theater, Price still could not resist coming to the season opening.

"I'm just a guest at the theater tonight," he grinned, as he prepared to have dinner with friends at the Gelston House adjacent to the theater. "But they did give me two tickets to see the show."